Acceptance of Homosexuality in Racial and Ethnic Communities

by Alexandra TembladorFebruary 02, 2015

By Alexandra Temblador

Fox’s new show Empire is attracting a lot of attention. The characters and their scheming ways have caught audiences so much that the number of viewers has risen every week since its premiere. Last week’s episode rose to 11.1 million same-day viewers. However what has most people talking is one of the main threads of the show: the drama created due to Lucious Lyon’s (Terrence Howard) disdain for his homosexual son’s sexuality.

This particular story line has been discussed in a variety of ways. For instance, it has been praised for how it represents many gay men, not the stereotypical flamboyant character that’s been represented in TV and film before. Or for how it takes a look at gay musicians in the entertainment industry, specifically in hip-hop, and lastly, the intent by its director Lee Daniels to expose homophobia, specifically in the black community. This last discussion brings up a more interesting question: does acceptance of homosexuality differ across racial and ethnic communities and how?

Currently, about 51% of Americans are supportive of marriage equality. But who are these fifty-one percent? Politically, more democrats and independents favor gay marriage than Republicans as do women than men. Younger generations accept gay marriage more than those 68 and older. Fifty-two percent of Americans support gay and lesbian couples adopting children. And most Americans favor gay and lesbians serving openly in the military. Social acceptance can be broken down by age, gender, and political affiliation and now by race and ethnicity:

Latino Americans

It seems Latino Americans are the most accepting of homosexuality. Fifty-four percent support gay marriage, 64% support civil unions, 83% support anti-discrimination laws that would protect gay and lesbians, and 74% support gays and lesbians openly serving in the military. What’s notable is that a Latino American’s religion and clergy are very influential to their social acceptance of homosexuality. Those with clergy who are anti-gay are less likely to support gay marriage. Protestant Latinos are more likely than Catholic, agnostic, atheist Latinos to believe homosexuality is a sin. What’s even more interesting is that the majority of Latino Americans, whether born in America or abroad, accept homosexuality. Fifty-three percent of foreign-born Latinos and 68% of second generation Latinos accept homosexuality.

Caucasian Americans

Caucasian Americans are quite accepting of homosexuality as well. Currently, 53% of the white population supports same-sex marriage. White mainline Protestants and white Catholics are more likely than their counterparts to be accepting of marriage equality. However, 47% of white Americans see homosexual behavior as a sin.

There seems to be a consensus among many about the reasons for homophobia or non-acceptance of homosexuality in the black community. Many cite religion, the need to maintain stereotypical gender roles, and the importance of masculinity.

Asian Americans

About 53% of Asian Americans believe that homosexuality should be accepted in society. The majority of Asian Americans born in the U.S. accept homosexuality while those that were born outside of the U.S. do not. Views differ between the different groups of Asian Americans. Japanese and Filipino Americans have the highest rate of acceptance of homosexuality (6-in-10) while Korean Americans are least accepting (only about 40%). Chinese Americans born in the U.S. accept homosexuality more so than those born outside of the U.S. Similarly, Buddhist and Hindu Asian American practitioners are more accepting than those who are Protestant or evangelical.

However, what is most interesting about Asian American acceptance of homosexuality is certain social and linguistic barriers that it must cross. Many Asian American cultures have the practice of not discussing “one’s problems” which make homosexuality a topic (among many others) that is not discussed within families. Similarly, it is difficult to even linguistically discuss homosexuality in many Asian languages since second generations Asian Americans don’t know what words to use and those they do know are considered offensive slurs.

Native Americans

Ten Native American tribes allow same-sex marriages. As federally recognized sovereign nations they have the ability to make gay marriage legal within their tribes regardless of their state’s marriage equality status. Despite this, some tribes still oppose gay marriage such as the Cherokee and Navajo tribes which are two of the largest in the nation. Still Native American tribes have historically been more accepting of homosexuality by highly respecting those they considered “two-spirit”, androgynous men and women or feminine men or masculine women married to the same gender. These individuals were honored for having two spirits, both a man and a woman’s spirit and were sometimes placed in important positions such as teachers or religious leaders.

Arab Americans

Unfortunately not a lot of statistical data has been gathered concerning Arab Americans and their views on homosexuality within the past five years. Although there are personal accounts that explain how Arab Americans don’t have a very open policy of discussing homosexuality and that conservative Muslims are less likely to support homosexuality.

Despite the research presented here it is important to remember that many people support and accept homosexuality and the numbers are rising every day. There are many people in the black community like Lee Daniels trying to bring homosexuality and race issues forward through TV and film. There are many Asian Americans who are desperately trying to teach the older generations what it means to be homosexual. Although race has been something that has separated us in American history, it has the ability to be something that unites us in the social acceptance of homosexuality.

Also in Parenting

Life can get busy. With work, kids, family commitments, friends, chores, and the general chaos of everyday life, it can be near impossible at times to sit down for a cup of tea, let alone squeeze in an hour of exercise regularly. However, all things are possible if you set your mind to them. Those that prioritize their fitness nearly...

With the passage of marriage equality last year, laws have been quickly changing across the United States. LGBT couples with or without children weren’t just given the right of marriage, they were provided new protections and benefits within their families. All of a sudden, LGBT couples and families had to figure out how to file jointly when it came to taxes, how to add...

I recently wrote an article for The Next Family called, “Family-Friendly Films That Feature Adoption and Foster Care,” that shared wonderful family films with adoption or foster care story lines. My reasoning behind doing so was because every family deserves a chance to see similar families like theirs represented in various forms of entertainment.

About Us

Equality

Love and Pride believes every human being is entitled to equal rights.

When you wear Love and Pride, you take a stand for equality.

Diversity

Love and Pride celebrates the rich diversity of all human beings.

When you wear Love and Pride, you join the celebration.

Tolerance

Love and Pride promotes tolerance and respect for all people regardless of our differences.

When you wear Love and Pride, you help share the message.

Love and Pride is a worldwide venture founded in 2005 to celebrate the transformative powers of passion, creativity and action. The collective dream of a group of artists and entrepreneurs, we invite designers and brands from around the globe to offer their products to you, our friends and family.

Love and Pride is the first of its kind – a premium designer online lifestyle destination for people who believe in equality, diversity and tolerance. Our jewelry collections include engagement, commitment, wedding and anniversary rings, necklaces, pendants, earrings, watches and other accessories for women and men. To complete your shopping experience, we offer a curated collection of men’s and women’s fashion, design and gift items, beauty, and personal grooming products. Sometimes romantic, sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical…our products are always captivating. Join with us to create change, inspire acceptance and make a difference – Look Good, Do Good.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Your purchase makes a difference at Love and Pride. Proceeds from the sales at www.LoveandPride.com are donated to non-profit

organizations that support full equality and civil rights for our community. Our partners, The Matthew Shepard Foundation, The Human Rights

Campaign and others are shaping a better future for all of us by helping to create a society that is truly diverse and tolerant. Make a fashion and

social statement with Love and Pride!

AWARDS

Marriage Equality USA Award - June 10, 2014

Matthew Shepard Foundation Essential Piece Award

JCK Designer of the year Award

OUR DESIGNER

Love and Pride is the creation of Udi Behr, one of today’s most exciting and original jewelry designers. Udi has won acclaim everywhere from

The New York Times to People Magazine for his iconic Love and Pride jewelry, including Designer of the Year honors from Luxury Magazine. His